2012 - 2013 Economics Courses

ECON

105

Introduction to Economics as a Social Science, LE

(4)

An overview of the origins and development of capitalism. Includes a discussion of different perspectives of capitalism and a brief introduction to topics in macro- and microeconomics. This course is primarily for non-business majors. Offered Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

ECON

253

Elementary Macroeconomics, LE

(4)

Study of development and emergence of our modern economic society. An overview of the theories regarding the determination of output, employment, and the price level. Analyzes the nation's economy as a whole (macroeconomics approach). This course is a prerequisite for all economics upper division class work. Offered Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

ECON

263

Elementary Microeconomics

(4)

A study of how individuals, firms, and government allocate scarce resources. Course includes the study of markets, price formation, and market structures. This course is a prerequisite for all economics upper division coursework. Prerequisites: ECON 253; MATH 141. Offered Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Examines the history of economic thought in the context of the evolution of the capitalist system. The course uses original sources in understanding the classical, Marxist, neoclassical, Institutionalist, and Austrian schools of economic thought. Prerequisites: ECON 105 or ECON 253 or HON 211.

ECON

317

Macroeconomic Theory

(4)

Intermediate study of income, employment, and output; also the role of fiscal and monetary policies. The course also explores the role of fiscal and monetary policies from classical, Keynesian, post-Keynesian, and monetarist viewpoints. Prerequisites: ECON 253, 263; MATH 141. Offered Fall semester.

An exploration of Marx's philosophy, the doctrine of alienation, historical materialism, the labor theory of value, economic crises, etc., in addition to more recent developments in Marxian and heterodox theory. Prerequisites: ECON 105 or 253 or HON 211. Offered alternating Fall semesters.

ECON

325

Environmental Economics

(4)

Covers economic theories and policies regarding pollution and the use of renewable and non-renewable resources. Explores the degree to which economic growth is compatible with environmental quality and considers both orthodox and heterodox approaches to the environment. Prerequisites: ECON 105 or 253 or 263, or consent of instructor. Offered Fall semesters.

ECON

365

Economic Justice

(4)

The importance of economic justice stems from the scarcity of resources: how should society allocate resources to achieve the social good? Invariably, questions of justice involve tradeoffs between fairness and efficiency. Such questions are inextricably related to religion, class, gender, poverty, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on. The course examines the concept of justice from the points of view of pre-market economies, classical liberalism, neo-classical economics, heterodox economics, Kenneth Arrow, John Rawls, Amartya Sen, among others. Prerequisites: ECON 105 or 253 or 263, or consent of instructor. Same as JUST/PHIL 365.

ECON

401

Directed Studies

(1-4)

A tutorial-based course used only for student-initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Economics Program. Prerequisites: ECON 253, ECON 263 and consent of instructor and school dean.

ECON

212/412

Special Topics in Economics

(1-4)

General category for Special Topics in Economics, e.g., Public Finance, Multinational Corporations, Mathematical Economics. Prerequisites: ECON 253 or 263 or 105.

ECON

418

Economics and the Law

(4)

The course will begin by developing the general framework used in economics as an approach for examining and solving legal problems. The course tries to make economic principles emerge from a more or less systematic survey of legal principles. By using this approach we are assuming that the law is a system; it has unity that economic analysis can illuminate. A significant amount of time will be spent on non-market behavior—with family, crime, accidents, litigation, and much else that is remote from the conventional analysis of market behavior studied in microeconomics. Prerequisites: ECON 253, 263. Offered Spring semester.

Students receive credit for meeting pre-arranged learning objectives while working for a company or non-profit organization. Internships give students the opportunity to compare their understanding of classroom material with current best practices in their field. Credit is based on the number of hours at the job site and the nature of the learning objectives. Monthly class sessions reinforce the student learning objectives, and allow interns to compare their experiences with other interns. Prerequisites: ECON 253, 263; junior or senior standing (transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 Westminster credit hours or obtain permission of instructor); and approvals from the Gore School of Business Practice/Experience Coordinator and the Career Center internship coordinator.

ECON

441

Economics Practicum

(2 or 4)

The Disciplinary Practicum is a student team-based, company consultation project. The project addresses a real issue of concern to a client company (or non-profit organization), requires extensive research, and results in a formal oral presentation and written report to the company. Students work in teams of 3–6 students under the supervision of a Gore School of Business faculty member. Prerequisites: ECON 253, 263; MATH 150; junior or senior standing.

ECON

442

Professional Portfolio

(2)

The Professional Portfolio is designed for mid-career professionals. The class gives students the opportunity to assess their interests and skills, design a career plan, and create a portfolio, which documents what they have to offer to an organization in an appropriate field. Students must have at least five years of professional or managerial experience to enroll in this class. Prerequisites: ECON 253, 263; junior or senior standing; and approval of the Gore School of Business Practice/Experience Coordinator. The 442 series is offered primarily as a directed studies option. For further information and 442 approval, see the Practice Experience Coordinator.

ECON

449

American Economic Development

(4)

This course emphasizes historical foundations of American economic development beginning with the colonial period and ending with the era following World War II. This course focuses on the process of economic growth in the light of structural and institutional changes in the American economy. Prerequisites: ECON 253; ECON 105 or HON 211.

ECON

485

Senior Seminar in Economics

(4)

This seminar will develop your abilities to conduct independent research within economics. Your principal assignment is to undertake a research project covering one of the following: a contemporary economic policy issue, an issue within economic history, or a doctrinal paper on some economic idea or economist. Prerequisites: ECON 317, 318, 499, except for BA in Pre-Law. (BA in Pre-Law: ECON 317, 318, 418). Offered Spring semester.

ECON

493

Business Forecasting

(4)

This course is designed to introduce students to advanced statistical forecasting procedures. The course addresses the process of assessing the need for forecasting, choice of forecasting tools, evaluation of the forecast and how to present results to management. Topics include exploratory data analysis and graphing techniques, data transformations and smoothing multivariate regression models, simultaneous system estimation, and time series analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 150, ECON 253, 263. Offered Spring semester.